Now Reading: Southwest Monsoon reaches Kerala, IMD declares onset
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Southwest Monsoon reaches Kerala, IMD declares onset
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday, 1 October 2026, officially declared the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala, marking the start of the four-month rainy season. The monsoon arrived on 4 June, three days later than its normal onset date of 1 June. It has covered Kerala, Lakshadweep and Mahe, and is advancing over more parts of the Arabian Sea.
The IMD attributed the onset to increased convective cloud activity and strengthening westerly winds. Widespread rainfall has been recorded across Kerala, and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall (7 to 20 cm) is forecast over the state for the next six to seven days. The IMD has projected that India will receive about 90% of the Long Period Average rainfall this season.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The late onset by three days and the forecast of 90% of the Long Period Average rainfall mean that kharif crop sowing may be delayed and water availability could be tighter in some regions. The IMD's yellow alert for Delhi and the heavy rain warning for Kerala and neighbouring states indicate that the monsoon's spread will be watched closely for its impact on agriculture, which gets nearly 70% of annual rainfall from this season. The next few days will show whether the monsoon advances into Maharashtra and Karnataka as forecast.
Source: ddnews.gov.in
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
